Lake Murray Water Level
South Carolina · Saluda River
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Water level history
About Lake Murray
Lake Murray is a reservoir on the Saluda River in South Carolina, operated by Dominion Energy. When its dam was finished in 1930 it was the world's largest earthen dam. Its full summer pool sits at 360 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from USGS gauge 02168500 and update every 15 to 60 minutes.
Understanding Lake Murray's water level
Lake Murray sits on the Saluda River just west of Columbia, South Carolina, and it is a hydropower lake, which is the key to how its level behaves. It was impounded in the late 1920s when the Saluda Dam, one of the largest earthen dams in the world at the time, was built to generate electricity. Today Dominion Energy operates it near a full pool of 360 feet above sea level for hydropower, along with flood control, water supply and recreation, so the lake is held fairly close to that target rather than being drawn down on a deep seasonal schedule.
Because it is a utility lake, Lake Murray's level moves mostly with power generation and rainfall, staying within a modest range of 360 feet in a normal year. Dominion lowers it somewhat at times for generation, shoreline maintenance or to make room ahead of wet weather, but the large drops come from sustained drought rather than a planned winter drawdown. That relative stability is a big reason the lake's shoreline is so heavily developed.
Lake Murray's most striking modern chapter had nothing to do with weather: to guard against a catastrophic failure in a major earthquake, on the scale of the 1886 Charleston quake, a huge backup dam was built alongside the original between 2002 and 2005. On the water, the lake is a strong fishery for largemouth and striped bass, blue and channel catfish, crappie and redear sunfish, with Dreher Island State Park and numerous landings serving the Columbia-area crowds who treat it as their home lake.
Lake Murray — frequently asked
Why does Lake Murray's water level change?
Lake Murray is a Dominion Energy hydropower lake, so its level moves mainly with power generation and rainfall while being held near a full pool of 360 feet. Dominion lowers it modestly at times for generation or shoreline work, but it is not drawn down on the deep seasonal schedule of a flood-control lake, so big drops usually mean drought.
What is full pool for Lake Murray?
Full pool is 360 feet above sea level. As a hydropower lake, Murray is normally kept within a modest range of that level rather than swinging widely.
Why was a second dam built at Lake Murray?
Federal dam-safety requirements called for protection against a catastrophic failure in a major earthquake, on the scale of the 1886 Charleston quake. To provide it, a large backup dam was built alongside the original Saluda Dam between 2002 and 2005.
Why is Lake Murray low during a drought?
Because it is held near full pool most of the time, a noticeable drop at Murray usually reflects a sustained drought reducing inflow while generation and water supply continue, rather than a planned seasonal drawdown.
What fish are in Lake Murray?
The lake is known for largemouth and striped bass, blue and channel catfish, crappie and redear sunfish, and its stable level and long shoreline make it a popular fishing and boating lake near Columbia.
What is Lake Murray used for?
It generates hydropower at Saluda Dam and also serves flood control, water supply and recreation, functioning as the main recreation lake for the Columbia, South Carolina area, with Dreher Island State Park on its shore.
Other lakes near Lake Murray
- Lake GreenwoodSC
- Lake HartwellGA/SC
- J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill)GA/SC
- Lake JocasseeSC
- Lake KeoweeSC
- Lake MarionSC
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